Important announcements, resources, events & recent news for your small business.



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Dear Texas Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, and Resource Providers:

Texas is the Best State for Business and the Best State to Start a Business, where entrepreneurs can succeed and achieve the American Dream. As Governor, it is one of my priorities to empower small business owners and entrepreneurs and create the best environment for small business growth.

As we build upon the success of 2024, I look forward to working with the Governor’s Small Business Freedom Council to further partner with small businesses. Launched in December, this council will work hand-in-hand with the Office of Small Business Assistance in my Economic Development and Tourism Office to recommend the elimination of any rules, fees, and regulations that create barriers to the success of small businesses and entrepreneurs.

We have already received input from Texas small business owners and Texas state agencies identifying rules and regulations — either personally encountered or identified within their respective agencies — that hamper small business formation and growth. The Office of Small Business Assistance and the Governor’s Small Business Freedom Council are now evaluating this input to produce a report for review. Together, we will take action to ensure Texas remains the best place to live, work, and start a small business in 2025 and beyond.

— "Governor Greg Abbott"

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2025 Governor's Small Business Summit Host Cities Announcement

2025 Governor's Small Business Summit Map (White Bkgd)

We were thrilled to announce the dates and locations for the 2025 Governor's Small Business Summits. Held throughout the year and in regions across the state, these events aim to help Texas small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs succeed by connecting them with the resources and information needed to start, strengthen and grow a business. *Early registration for all events is now open! *

Follow along on our social media channels and continue to check out our event calendar [ [link removed] ] as more information becomes available on event speakers, session topics, event agendas and more! 

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Galleher Industries Grows "Texas-Sized," Charts Major Success in Texas
Galleher Industries Feature

Texas is where today’s products are made, and where tomorrow’s technologies are brought to life. *Galleher Industries*, a once-small wood flooring distributor, has quickly chartered major success in Texas as a stand-out in the truck and trailer supply industry.

Following over 60 years in the lumber business, Galleher Lumber saw the opportunity to broaden its services and products to include manufactured metal parts, creating a one-stop-shop for the industry. In 2019, Galleher increased its footprint nationwide by expanding into North Texas. Texas’ centralized location allowed Galleher easy access to domestic and global markets — speeding up lumber imports and distributing finished products with greater ease.

In 2021, Galleher Lumber rebranded as Galleher Industries to better reflect growing operations and significant enhancements of its lumber and metal production capabilities. With the recent addition of a state-of-the-art finger-jointing lumber facility in Texas, Galleher Industries is only *one-of-two* in the nation equipped to joint premium imported hardwoods.

"I am extremely excited and proud to have Galleher Industries’ headquarters now located in Kaufman," said Brad Bowden, Galleher Industries Chief Executive Officer. "The opportunities and partnerships have been critical to our continued growth and success.”

Discover more about Galleher Industries and their innovative manufacturing solutions by visiting their website at galleherind.com [ [link removed] ].

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*Feedback from a Governor's Small Business Summit*: "Great event for new and existing buisnesses with many resources and valuable information to help establish and grow your business and brand, locally and beyond." "- Kaufman Small Business Owner"

 

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Catch up on what's new! 

*Governor's Small Business Webinar Series: Optimizing Your Cash Flow*

Held and recorded in December, this Governor's Small Business Webinar offered insight from industry experts on how to optimize your business's cash flow. In addition to tips to keep your business financially healthy, discussed were reasons why it's important to understand your cash budget to make strategic decisions and overall improve operations. 

Whether you are a startup or an established small business, learning how to effectively manage your cash flow is crucial to navigating financial challenges and pursuing opportunities that allow for business growth. Catch the replay by watching on demand using the link below. 

Watch on Demand > [ [link removed] ]

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Governor's Small Business Resource Portal

*Information on demand:* Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or established business owner, the Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal will provide you with the most relevant resources and contacts to assist you in starting or growing your business in Texas.

Types of information included in the portal:


* Federal, State and Local Resources
* Business Advice and Growth Assistance
* Funding Sources
* Licensing and Permitting Information
* Additional Specific Resources & Contacts


Launch the Portal > [ [link removed] ]

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Spanish Resources | Recursos en Español

*¿Es usted un hispanohablante nativo y le gustaría iniciar, crecer o mantener una pequeña empresa en Texas? *Por favor consulte nuestras páginas para pequeñas empresas en español para obtener más información sobre los diferentes recursos disponibles para usted. Busque el botón ubicado en la parte superior de la página para cambiar el idioma a español.

Visite las paginas web > [ [link removed] ]

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Texas Micro-Business Loan Program

In Texas, small business is big business! Home to more than 3.3 million small businesses, Texas is focused on supporting small business owners, ensuring our state remains the best in the country to start and run a business. 

In the event of a declared disaster, the *Texas Micro-Business Disaster Recovery (MBDR) Loan Program [ [link removed] ]* provides zero-interest loans to eligible Community Development Financial Institution (CDFIs) for purposes of making interest-bearing loans to qualifying micro-businesses that have difficulty in accessing capital following a declared disaster. *CDFIs are encouraged to apply to participate in the program now "— before disaster strikes. "*

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Coming Soon: Governor's Small Business Handbook

*Thinking of launching a business?* Our office is in the process of updating the Governor's Small Business Handbook. This handbook will provide a comprehensive overview of business planning, registration, requirements and financing options to support small business owners at all stages in their entrepreneurial journey. Sign up here [ [link removed] ] to be notified as soon as the new handbook is available!

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"Did you know?"

While a Sales and Use Tax Permit is a requirement for most businesses to operate in the state (B2B and B2C), a Resale Certificate allows business owners to bypass tax on items or services purchased (B2B) with the intent to resale as part of their business offerings (B2C). Visit *comptroller.texas.gov* [ [link removed] ] to learn more.

For other general business inquiries, visit our playlists "FAQs: Starting a Business in Texas" on our YouTube [ [link removed] ] channel available in English [ [link removed] ] and Spanish [ [link removed] ]. 



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'Round the State Roundup

*The Small Business Assistance team travels to communities around the state *throughout the year to meet with small businesses and share information on the resources available. We look forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming events or webinars!


* *March 5*: Governor's Small Business Webinar Series: *Navigating the HUB Certification [ [link removed] ]*
* *March 27*: Governor's Small Business Summit — *Uvalde [ [link removed] ]*
* *April 24*: Governor's Small Business Summit — *Orange [ [link removed] ]*

"Be sure to follow us on social media or check back at our events page [ [link removed] ] as more information is released for each event. "

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Photos from the Field
Mike Gabler

In November, the *Governor's Small Business Summit* in *Wichita Falls* honored veteran-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Mike Gabler, Sole Survivor of Survivor 43, Team Never Quit, was the keynote speaker. Gabler donated his entire million-dollar prize to veteran support services. 

*Watch on demand*: Find the full panel and keynote sessions from the event on our YouTube [ [link removed] ]channel. View photos [ [link removed] ] from the event. 

 

Kelli & Bob

In December, the *Governor's Small Business Summit* in *Kaufman* featured Bob & Kelli Phillips, Former Hosts of the popular Texas Country Reporter, as the keynote speakers covering "Jobs that Speak to Your Heart." Find photos [ [link removed] ] from the event on Facebook. 

 

*Other recent small business meetings and events:*


* Small Business Advocate Jarvis Brewer presented to small business owners and prospective entrepreneurs participating in the *Small Business Impact Program* at the McCombs School of Business at the *University of Texas at Austin* on November 11.
* Small Business Advocate Jarvis Brewer attended the *Annual Texas Workforce Conference* hosted by the Texas Workforce Commission in *Grapevine* on December 4-6. 
* A *Governor's Small Business Webinar Series*: "Optimizing Your Cash Flow" was held online December 10. Watch on demand on YouTube [ [link removed] ]. 
* Small Business Advocate Jarvis Brewer attended the *Annual Economic Outlook Event* hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - Houston District Office and the University of Houston's Small Business Development Center (SBDC). This event served to highlight successes and project challenges for small businesses in the Houston/Gulf Coast Region. 

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MORE RESOURCES 

*The Governor's Office of Small Business Assistance* assists small and medium Texas businesses through entrepreneurial support, education and technical assistance.

You are invited to explore the Governor's Small Business Resource Portal [ [link removed] ], the Governor's Small Business Webinar Resource Library [ [link removed] ] and the Small Business Events Calendar [ [link removed] ].

For additional information from state and federal agencies and other resource partners, click on the page links below:   

>  Start a Business in Texas [ [link removed] ]
>  Business Permit Office [ [link removed] ]
>  Financing and Capital [ [link removed] ]
>  Veteran, Minority, Women-Owned [ [link removed] ]
>  Public Procurement and HUB [ [link removed] ]

To contact the Small Business Assistance Team, please use the Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal. [ [link removed] ] At the end of the customized results list, you will have the option to schedule a call with the team.







The Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office markets Texas as one of the world's premier business locations and travel destinations.

For more information on doing business in Texas, visit us online at gov.texas.gov/business [ [link removed] ].



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GovDelivery [ [link removed] ], Inc. sending on behalf of the Office of the Governor · P.O. Box 12428 · Austin TX 78711-2428 · 800-843-5789